Like I said before, high school went by pretty fast and not a lot happened. One thing did happen though. I remember like it was yesterday.
My closest friend, Sara, the only one who knows that I can't feel anything, was dating this boy named Tate. He was nice and all, but there was always something off about him. It seemed like there was something missing. Anyways we would hang out a lot, me being the third wheel, of course(I never had a boyfriend...or anything to do).
One day we were hanging out at Sara's house. Sara was making dinner and Tate and I were sitting on the couch.
"What are you doing tomorrow, R?" R. The stupid nickname he used for me. Is Rose really that hard to say?
"Nothing much, maybe a little studying," I respond, "Why do you ask?"
"Oh no reason....We'll actually I was wondering if you would come over to my place."
"Why would I come over to your place?" The confused tone is clear when I speak..or at least I hope it is.
"Did you forget that it's almost Sara's 17th birthday? We need to plan a surprise party," he says.
"Okay, but can't we just do it here? Sara won't be here anyways."
"Yeah, sure. Meet me here tomorrow at 10 a.m."
"Okay see you then!" I respond, but I'm a little hesitant to come here with him alone.
The next day, I head over there and open the unlocked door. Sara never locks her doors. She gives people the benefit of the doubt. I don't.
Once I get inside, I wait patiently on the couch, doing some homework while I still remember I have it. I hear the door open and Tate walks in.
"Hey," Tate says.
"Hello," I respond.
"Soooo.... where do we start?" Tate inquires.
"I think we should start by inviting people that we know she would want there," I say as Tate nods.
• • • •
Two hours later, the party is planned.
"Ahh. We're finally done," I say, genuinely relieved.
"Yeah...hey, R?"
"Hm?"
"Why don't you ever date anyone?" Tate asks, shocking me.
"Well I guess it's because I don't like anyone that much," I say flatly.
"Oh, really? You don't like anyone?" His eyebrows lift in surprise.
"Yeah, is that so hard to believe?"
"Actually, yeah it is. You are pretty and smart. I know for a fact at least one person likes you," he says with that off-ness I mentioned before.
"Oh yeah, who?" I challenge.
"...Me," he says.
"What?—" but before the word is out, his lips are on mine. I try to push him away, but I can't. He's too strong. I bite him and he backs off, but before he's too far away I slap him.
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?" Oh. My. God. I look over to see who's shouting. It's Sara. She looks at me with teary eyes and can see that I'm upset, too. She turns to Tate.
"Get out," she says.
"Y—you don't understand," he says too quickly, "Rose forced herself on me. Come on, Sara, you know I'd never do that to you."
"I. Said. Get. The. Hell. Out." Sara says and a wave of relief rushes over me as he curses and leaves. Sara starts crying.
"Oh my god, Sara, I'm so sorry—"
"Why are you sorry?" She lets out a shaky laugh, " it's not your fault and you know it."
She cries even more. I soothe her for the next hour, no, more like the next month, but I am thankful she believed me over him. She believed the truth. Even so, I will never forgive Tate Williamson for the shit he put my best friend through. I hate him. I hate him so much.
May he die a slow and painful death, that sorry excuse for a man.
